Michigan Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Practice Exam

Which type of doors are only required to resist smoke in sprinkler buildings?

1. Exit doors

2. Corridor doors

3. Service doors

4. Exterior doors

The correct answer is: Corridor doors

In sprinkler buildings, corridor doors are specifically required to resist smoke as a means of protecting the residents and facilitating safe evacuation during a fire event. These doors play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of smoke compartments, which help limit the spread of smoke and fire within the building. The intention is to create a barrier that delays smoke intrusion into other areas, providing additional time for evacuation and potentially reducing smoke inhalation injuries. While exit doors, service doors, and exterior doors may also have fire safety requirements, their primary functions differ. Exit doors are typically designed for unobstructed egress during emergencies, whereas service doors are mainly for staff access and operational needs. Exterior doors serve as the main entry and exit points for the facility and generally connect to the outside environment, which can include other safety considerations. In the context of a sprinkler building, it is the corridor doors that have the specific requirement to resist smoke, ensuring a safer environment for the residents.